Renewable Energy events

Minnesota's potential for taking the next step in renewable energy will be explored in two separate meetings February 27-28 at the West Central Regional Outreach Center and the University of Minnesota, Morris.

An Advanced Wind Energy Workshop to be held February 27 is aimed at persons interested in large community or locally-owned wind systems. The Home Grown Energy Conference on February 28 will cover a wider scope of renewable energy opportunities and is aimed at anyone interested in renewable energy.

The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris will host the meetings in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, Morris. "Minnesota has the potential to be the leader in wind energy, biomass, renewable hydrogen and other renewable fuels. Our goal is to provide ideas and practical information for those wanting to be involved in renewable energy," said Greg Cuomo, head of the WCROC.

The Advanced Wind Energy Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris. Speakers at the workshop will provide in-depth information on wind farm development, financing, legal considerations, site assessment and other information about developing community or locally-owned wind systems.

The Home Grown Energy Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the UMM Student Center. Participants will hear speakers on renewable energy technologies such as wind energy, biomass, biofuels and hydrogen energy systems. The Home Grown Energy Conference will feature information on a wider range of renewable energy resources and technologies. Both events will feature top renewable energy experts from across the state and region.

Registration for the February 27 Advanced Wind Energy Workshop is $60. Registration for the February 28 Home Grown Energy Conference is $30 for the general public and $15 for students Lunch is included at both events. For more information or to register, visit the renewable energy website at energy.coafes.umn.edu or call 320-589-1711.

The two conferences are part of a larger effort known as the University of Minnesota Renewable Energy Research and Demonstration Center that is led by the University in partnership with stakeholders in rural west central Minnesota.

The WCROC, part of the university's College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, is an agriculture-based research station emphasizing interdisciplinary research designed to improve the lives of Minnesota citizens. For more information on its programs, see wcroc.coafes.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota, Morris, is an academically rigorous public undergraduate liberal arts college. It is the only college in the Midwest named among the top five public liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2006 rankings of America's Best Colleges. For more information about UMM, see www.morris.umn.edu.

Campus-wide Academic Events

The University of Minnesota, Morris is a public liberal arts University that provides a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship.